Carry cases and bags

ABSTRACT

A carry case for a laptop computer, including: a plurality of side walls defining a chamber for containing a laptop computer, at least one of said side walls having a protective outer skin portion and a cushioning portion extending inwards from said outer skin portion for protecting a laptop computer in said chamber from physical shock, and at least a substantial portion of said at least one side wall being transparent.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to carry cases and bags. The invention hasparticular application to carry cases for laptop computers and similarcarry bags but may have application to carry cases and bags generally aswell as various other types of containers.

BACKGROUND ART

Airport security normally requires laptop computers to be removed fromtheir carry cases prior to the carry case being scanned by x-raymachines so as to render other objects therein more discernible therebydecreasing the risk of undesirable objects such as guns and knives beingsmuggled aboard aircraft. However, the removal of laptop computers fromtheir carry cases often causes frustration and delay at check-instations. In this specification, unless the context indicates otherwise,the term carry case is to be taken to encompass other types of baggagesuch as carry bags and such like.

The present invention aims to provide a carry case or bag which allowsadequate inspection by security personnel in conjunction with scanningsystems without removal of the laptop computer therefrom. Other aims andadvantages of the invention may become apparent from the followingdescription and claims.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in view, the present invention resides broadly in acarry case for a laptop computer, including:

a plurality of side walls defining a chamber for containing a laptopcomputer, at least one of said side walls having a protective outer skinportion and a cushioning portion extending inwards from said outer skinportion for protecting a laptop computer in said chamber from physicalshock, and at least a substantial portion of said at least one side wallbeing transparent.

In another aspect the present invention resides broadly in a carry caseor a carry bag, including:

one or more side walls defining a chamber for an article to be carried,at least one of said one or more side walls having a protective outerskin portion and a cushioning portion for protecting an article in saidchamber from physical shock, and at least a substantial portion of saidat least one side wall being transparent.

Preferably, all of said side walls have a protective outer skin portionand a cushioning portion extending inwards from said outer skin portionand are all transparent.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a carry caseor carry bag, including:

a plurality of substantially transparent side walls defining a chamberfor containing a laptop computer, at least one of said side walls havinga protective outer skin portion and a cushioning portion extendinginwards from said outer skin portion for protecting a laptop computer insaid chamber from physical shock.

Preferably, the cushioning portion is substantially transparent.Alternatively, the cushioning portion is formed substantially to providean unobstructed view of the contents of the carry case or carry bagthrough the substantially transparent side walls.

Preferably, said outer skin portion is a layer of transparent generallywaterproof material and said cushioning portion includes a layer oftransparent cushioning material secured to said waterproof material.

In another aspect the invention resides broadly in a method ofinspecting luggage at airport security inspection stations, the luggageincluding a carry case or bag as previously described and contents, themethod including:

visually inspecting the contents without opening the carry case or bagor removing the contents from the carry case or bag.

Preferably, the method includes the further step of scanning the carrycase or bag containing the contents by x-ray.

Typically, a laptop computer in a carry case is revealed by x-rayscanning of the bag. However, undesirable objects which are placed in acarry case adjacent a laptop computer are not necessarily distinguishedfrom the laptop computer by x-ray but rather blend with the on screencomputer image of the laptop computer. Advantageously, if the content ofthe carry case or bag is a laptop computer which can be seen by securitypersonnel without removal from the carry case or bag, the need to removea laptop computer from its carry case is reduced if not eliminated. Inthis respect, transparency in the context of the present inventionrefers to transmission of visible light therethrough substantiallywithout distortion. However, it will be appreciated that the material ofconstruction of the side walls and/or cushioning portion may be selectedfor transparency to x-rays.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put intopractical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanyingdrawings illustrating several preferred embodiments of the invention andwherein:

FIGS. 1 to 5 are a pictorial representations of a carry case accordingto the present invention when closed, open, laid flat, as carried and astraveling through an airport security x-ray machine respectively andillustrating a “brief case concept” embodiment;

FIGS. 6 to 9 are two pictorial representations, a front view and adetail view respectively of a carry case according to the presentinvention and illustrating a “silicon overmould” embodiment;

FIGS. 10 to 12 are two pictorial representation (closed and open) and adetail view respectively of a carry case according to the presentinvention and illustrating an “injection moulded” embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a pictorial exploded representation of a carry case accordingto the invention illustrating a “modular endcaps” embodiment;

FIGS. 14 to 16 are a pictorial representation and two detail viewsrespectively of a carry case according to the present invention andillustrating a “silicon skin” embodiment;

FIGS. 17 to 19 are a pictorial representation and two detail viewsrespectively of a carry case according to the present invention andillustrating an “expandable” embodiment;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are pictorial representations of a carry case accordingto the present invention in an open and closed attitude respectively andillustrating a “vac formed” embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a pictorial representation of a carry case according to thepresent invention and illustrating a “welded bag” embodiment;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are pictorial views of a carry case according to thepresent invention viewed from the top or opening end thereof and theother end respectively and illustrating a preferred form; and

FIGS. 25 and 26 show the same views as FIGS. 23 and 24 respectively withthe hidden details thereof in phantom outline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The carry case 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a bottom part 11 which formsa tray adapted to receive therein a laptop computer, and a top part 12which is adapted to close over the laptop computer and forms a lid forthe tray. The two parts are connected together by spaced apart hinges 13which allow pivoting movement of the lid relative to the tray in amanner similar to that of a briefcase. The lid and the tray can besecured together by spaced apart latches 14 which each have a latch half14 a on the tray and a complementary latch half 14 b on the lid adaptedto releasably engage with the latch half on the tray to secure the twoparts together.

The tray has a front wall 11 a, two spaced apart opposed side walls 11 band 11 d extending from one side of the front wall, and spaced apartopposed lower and upper walls 11 c and 11 e extending from the frontwall between the two opposed side walls. Likewise, the lid has a rearwall 12 a which is spaced from front wall 11 a and parallel thereto whenthe carry case is closed as shown in FIG. 2, side walls 12 b and 12 d,and lower and upper walls 12 c and 12 e which are contiguous with thecorresponding walls 11 b, 11 c, 11 d and 11 e of the tray when in theclosed position as can also be seen in FIG. 2.

Advantageously, all of the walls of the carry case are constructed of atransparent plastics material which forms a relatively hard outer skinand each wall is lined with a transparent plastics material whichprovides a soft padding for a laptop computer when placed therein. Inone form of the invention, the padding material is secured to the outerskin by adhesive while in another form the outer skin and the paddingare formed as a single moulded plastics component.

The carry case 110 illustrated in FIG. 3 has spaced apart opposed frontand rear walls 111 a and 111 f which are joined by spaced apart sidewalls 111 b and 111 d and spaced apart opposed lower and upper walls 111c and 111 e. A slot 112 is provided in the upper wall to provide anentry for a laptop computer 115 into the case. Advantageously, all ofthe walls are constructed of a transparent plastics material as in theother example with a relatively hard outer skin and a soft inner liningallowing a laptop computer therein to be clearly seen along with anyother object or article which may be in the carry case and outside thelaptop computer.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the carry case with the laptop containedtherein can be passed through a typical airport security x-ray machinewithout removing the laptop before or after inspection by securitypersonnel. Advantageously, as indicated above, any metallic objectsbetween the laptop computer and the carry case can be seen the naked eyethus obviating the need to remove the laptop computer from the carrycase.

The silicon overmould embodiment 60 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 includes clearsilicon overmoulded side walls 61 with integral cushioning details 62 tosupport and protect laptop computers. The cushioning details are provideby a pair of basal ridges shown typically at 63 and opposed pairs ofside ridges shown typically at 64 with valleys in between. A panel wall65 is provided in envelope form between the side walls in a diecut clearPETG or similar plastics sheet folded if necessary to conform to theenvelope. An injection moulded latch 66 is provided spaced inward fromthe respective edges of the panel wall and its opposite end, being aclosure flap 68. The shape of the edge may be squared off as shown inFIG. 8 or curved as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Two anchor points 67 (onlyone being visible in the views shown) are provided on the outside of theside walls near the opening of the flap.

The injection moulded embodiment 100 includes a three-piece injectionmoulded polycarbonate shell with two integral hinges 104. Overmouldedsilicon corners 101 shown in the detail view of FIG. 12 are provided forcushioning the contents of the carry case as well as to protect thecarry case itself. An injection moulded latch 103 is also provided insimilar fashion to that of the silicon overmoulded embodiment shown anddescribed with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

The modular endcaps embodiment 130 shown in FIG. 13 includes two clearpolycarbonate injection moulded end caps 131 each provided with a basalsilicon cushion 132 and an anterior silicon cushion 133. The endcaps andcushions slide over and into a clear diecut PETG sheet 135 in the formof an envelop having a flap 138 and a latch 136.

The silicon skin embodiment 140 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 includes asingle-piece injection moulded clear silicon case 141 with moulded-incushioning 143 in the form of a plurality of ridges running along theside walls 145 of the carry case. Two integral anchor points 144, one oneach side wall near the opening, are provided to take a shoulder strap.

The expandable embodiment 170 shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 has two opposedsheets of clear diecut PETG sheets 172 bonded or moulded or fixed intoopposed side edges of a concertina style edge wall 176, shown in acollapsed attitude 178 in FIG. 19 and an expanded attitude 177 in FIG.18. The sheets are inserted into complementary channels as shown in thedetail views at 179. A latch 174 is also provided to fasten a flap 173to one of the sheets. A strap 175 is attached to the flap.

The vac formed embodiment 200 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 includes a baseportion 201, a larger lid portion 202 and a smaller lid portion 203which abut edge to edge when in the closed attitude shown in FIG. 20. Alatch 205 is provided near the edges thereof, and the lid portions maybe closed by bending a fluted or corrugated hinge joint 212 joining eachlid portion to a respective opposed edge of the base portion. The lidand base portions also include a sidewall 206 along opposed side edgesof substantially planar panels to provide a polycarbonate or PETG shell.Each panel also is provided with opposed pairs of silicone pads showntypically at 210 spaced inward from the side edges and hinge joints ofeach panel for cushioning the contents of the carry case with in theclosed attitude.

The welded bag embodiment 220 shown in FIG. 22 includes a clear PVC filmpanels 221 welded or stitched to sidewalls 222 having optional clearsilicone pads to cushion and protect the laptop computer. Two anchorpoints 223 are provided on each sidewall near the opening fro attachmentof a strap, and a latch 224 is provided to close the opening with a flap228 against one of the panels. Optional coloured edging or piping or thelike is provided along the weld or stitch joint.

The preferred form 230 shown in FIGS. 23 to 26 includes a polycarbonatesheeting envelope panel folded or formed to an envelope 233 with a flap232 to close the opening. Referring particularly to FIGS. 23 and 24, theshape of the envelope, as with similar embodiments previously described,is substantially determined by the periphery of two opposed side walls231 shown. Each side walls moulding includes an anchor point 238 nearthe opening of the envelope and four cushion anchoring apertures showntypically at 234, the apertures being provided in two pairs each. Asshown particularly in the hidden detail of FIGS. 25 and 26 there areprovided a pair of opposing basal cushions 237 and a pair of opposingventral cushions 236 near the opening of the envelope, each cushionbeing anchored to a side wall moulding by way of the cushion anchoringapertures. All of the elements of the carry case are substantiallytransparent, or if not, any opaque portions are of such dimensions thatvisual inspection of the contents of the carry case are substantiallyunimpeded by virtue of small size and/or configuration.

The foregoing description has been given by way of illustrative exampleof the invention and many modifications in variations which will beapparent to persons skilled in the art may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

1. A carry case for a laptop computer, comprising: a plurality of sidewalls defining a chamber for containing a laptop computer, at least oneof said side walls having a protective outer skin portion and acushioning portion extending inwards from said outer skin portion forprotecting a laptop computer in said chamber from physical shock, and atleast a substantial portion of said at least one side wall beingtransparent.
 2. A carry case for a laptop computer, comprising: one ormore side walls defining a chamber for an article to be carried, atleast one of said one or more side walls having a protective outer skinportion and a cushioning portion for protecting an article in saidchamber from physical shock, and at least a substantial portion of saidat least one side wall being transparent.
 3. A carry case for a laptopcomputer, comprising: a plurality of substantially transparent sidewalls defining a chamber for containing a laptop computer, at least oneof said side walls having a protective outer skin portion and acushioning portion extending inwards from said outer skin portion forprotecting a laptop computer in said chamber from physical shock.
 4. Acarry case for a laptop computer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,wherein the cushioning portion is formed to provide a substantiallyunobstructed view of the contents of the carry case through thesubstantially transparent side walls.
 5. A carry case for a laptopcomputer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cushioningportion is substantially transparent.
 6. A carry case according to claim4, wherein: all of said side walls have a protective outer skin portionand a cushioning portion extending inwards from said outer skin portionand are all transparent.
 7. A carry case according to claim 4, wherein:said outer skin portion is a layer of transparent generally waterproofmaterial and said cushioning portion includes a layer of transparentcushioning material secured to said waterproof material.
 8. A method ofinspecting luggage at airport security inspection stations, the luggageincluding a carry case or bag claimed in any of the preceding claims andits contents, the method including: visually inspecting the contentswithout opening the carry case or bag or removing the contents from thecarry case or bag.
 9. A method according to claim 8 further comprising astep of scanning the carry case or bag containing the contents by x-ray.10. A carry case as herein before described with reference to any one ofFIGS. 1 to 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 12, 13, 14 to 16, 17 to 19, 20 to 21, 22, or23 to 26.